Have a slight problem with ... and please don't laugh ... a 3 1/2 Floppy !!

For those of you without filthy minds, the afore mentioned floppy was created using a MSWord programme in 1991 but unsure of the exact name of the programme or the file extension used.

I have Googled RAW File System and all references seem to lead to data recovery on HDD's or partitions thereof, USB, or other memory cards ... NO mention of the high-tech 3 1/2. I've looked at this site, however, I think I was using an earlier version of windows at the time - whatever was "current" in 1990 - 1991.

I am trying to recover a Thesis which I did at the time and never thought to transfer to new computers etc.

If anyone has any ideas or suggestions for free data recovery software before I totally destroy things, I'd much appreciate it.

As always ... Thanks in advance !

SP8's

07-05-2010, 12:08 PM

Sorry ... forgot to paste site into request.

http://www.easeus.com/datarecoverywizard/

Speedy Gonzales

07-05-2010, 12:29 PM

I've got that program, but dont use floppies

wainuitech

07-05-2010, 12:45 PM

Just as well its not a 5 1/2 " floppy -- :p

Anyways -- Try using Recuva (http://www.piriform.com/recuva) or Undelete Plus (http://download.cnet.com/Undelete-Plus/3000-2242_4-143754.html) both are free and both will scan a floppy drive. You can also get the portable version of undelete Plus (http://www.portablefreeware.com/?id=1063) - doesn't need to be installed then, and can run from a USB drive.

Sweep

07-05-2010, 12:51 PM

Sound to me that the floppy was formatted on a different drive to what you currently have and can't be read properly due to different track alignment.

RAW usually, in relation to hard drives, means unformatted. In the past I would have tried different drives to get the data off and I have had success doing just that.

Got a few mates with 3.5" drives. If so then go visit them and take a USB stick with you.

Also what capacity is the disk? Could be 720Kb or 1.44Meg.

The file system should be FAT12 I believe if it's being read correctly.

sroby

07-05-2010, 01:05 PM

The version on Win it was created on is irrelevant, unless it had some
crazy drive compression that was popular back in the dark past.
Even DOS3 disks are compatble with modern Win.

Have a look & make sure there is no mold(seriuosly) ,no scratches on the surface of the actual disk.
Some of the floppies back then were unreliable from day1 (one Famous brand I had particular issues with)

Norton had a very good utility back in the day for floppies, diskdoctor ??
I used it often with good success years ago :badpc: :badpc:
may be able to find it if you google.

or, try another PC, very common for floppy DRIVES to be bad in PC's now.

SP8's

07-05-2010, 04:20 PM

Wainuitech .... Used to have a 5 1/2 floppy ... but that was before the wife sent me to the vet ! I'll try some of the programmes you've mentioned though.

Sweep ... 1.44 and definitely done on another machine which is now being used as a boat anchor. Isn't reading the disk at all ... tells me there's 0 used 0 free space, exactly the same as the site I mentioned earlier does for HDD's.

sroby ... have checked for mould and made sure the disc wasn't stuck to the case etc. might try Google for disk doctor. I know there's a site somewhere that has all the old programmes available. Drive is OK at other disks are working and have transferred data OK.

I'll try a few things over the weekend and let you know how I get on ... again, thanks for everyone's input.

wainuitech

07-05-2010, 05:07 PM

Wainuitech .... Used to have a 5 1/2 floppy ... but that was before the wife sent me to the vet :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: